Australian senator, Jane Smith, has come out strongly against the influence of gambling lobbyists on government decisions, calling for tighter regulations and transparency in the industry.
In a recent interview with EGR Global, Senator Smith criticized the close relationship between gambling lobbyists and government officials, accusing them of exerting undue influence on policy-making.
“It is unacceptable that gambling lobbyists have such easy access to decision-makers in government. This not only creates a conflict of interest but also undermines the integrity of our democratic process,” she said.
Senator Smith’s comments come amid growing concerns about the influence of the gambling industry on government decisions. A recent investigation by EGR Global revealed that several prominent gambling companies had donated substantial sums to political parties in exchange for favorable legislation.
“It is clear that the gambling industry wields a significant amount of power in our government, and it is time we put a stop to it. We need to ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of the public, not the gambling lobbyists,” she added.
Senator Smith is calling for stricter regulations on lobbying activities, including greater transparency and accountability measures. She is also pushing for a ban on political donations from gambling companies to prevent conflicts of interest.
“We need to hold our government officials accountable and ensure that they are working for the people, not for special interests. It is time to clean up politics and restore trust in our democratic institutions,” she said.
The senator’s comments have sparked a debate in Australia, with many calling for greater transparency in government decision-making and stricter regulations on lobbying activities. It remains to be seen whether her calls for reform will be heeded by the government, but one thing is clear – the issue of gambling lobbyists’ access to government is not going away anytime soon.
